Page 54 of Glitched Play

Dara clears her throat, looking far too amused. “This year’s foundation campaign is adaptive gaming access for visually impaired children. Spatial audio development, tactile feedback controllers, AI-assisted navigation, and grants for schools that can’t afford specialized equipment.”

Maci’s face changes.

Her teasing expression softens into something quieter. Something that makes me uncomfortable because it feels too close to admiration.

“That’s incredible,” she says.

Dara looks at me. “It’s his favorite event.”

“No.”

“It is.”

“It’s useful.”

Maci glances at me. “Useful?”

“Technology should remove barriers,” I say matter-of-factly.

For some reason, she rewards me with a tender smile.

I look away first and as I turn, Dara smirks. That old fart misses nothing.

Maci closes her laptop. “Well, I don’t think I own anything worthy of a black tie event.”

“You have two days,” I say.

She laughs under her breath. “I’ll add that to my schedule.”

We walk back toward our offices together. Not intentionally. The hallway simply goes the same direction.

Maci asks Dara something about seating charts, and I pretend to check my tablet while listening. Every executive has one guest. Sponsors have tables. Team owners have the tables in the front. Media check-in is on the lower level. Security access changes at six.

Normal information.

Useful information.

Then Dara says, “Guest names are due by end of day.”

Maci nods. “I’ll send mine over.”

Mine.

Plural, possibly.

Singular, possibly.

Irrelevant.

Entirely irrelevant.

By afternoon, the meeting notes are distributed, the rookie program has been approved for launch, and Maci Hart has become the most discussed person on the executive floor. And my text chains are lighting up from other teams in the league.

Where did you find her?

She’s amazing.

Not many gamers can explain in simple terms that we understand.